Judge agrees to re-sentence serial rapist who preyed on neighbor

Austin Clem's original sentence did not include prison time

Austin Clem, 25, Austin Clem, 25, was convicted in September of repeatedly raping one of his former neighbors. The victim, who was 13 years old when she was first attacked, is now 20 and testified against Clem at his trial.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 12:33 a.m.

ATHENS | A north Alabama judge, whose sentence for a man convicted of three counts of rape didn't include prison time, filed an order Tuesday agreeing to re-sentence the man.

Austin Clem, 25, was convicted in September of repeatedly raping one of his former neighbors. Limestone County Circuit Court Judge James Woodroof initially ordered Clem to participate in a community corrections program that would have allowed him to live at home and work. He was also ordered to spend three years on probation and pay $1,631 in restitution.

The now 20-year-old victim was upset with the light sentence, and the jury foreman has said members expected Clem to serve time in prison. Clem's attacks on the woman began when she was 13, investigators have said.

District Attorney Brian Jones also asked a state appeals court to look at the sentence, which he argued was illegally lenient.

Woodroof agreed to the re-sentencing in the order but didn't set a date.

The judge did not explain the reason for the original sentence in court documents, and he declined comment on the case through an aide.

A court-appointed attorney who represents Clem has not returned messages seeking comment, but he has asked for additional funding for an extended court fight.

<p>ATHENS | A north Alabama judge, whose sentence for a man convicted of three counts of rape didn't include prison time, filed an order Tuesday agreeing to re-sentence the man.</p><p>Austin Clem, 25, was convicted in September of repeatedly raping one of his former neighbors. Limestone County Circuit Court Judge James Woodroof initially ordered Clem to participate in a community corrections program that would have allowed him to live at home and work. He was also ordered to spend three years on probation and pay $1,631 in restitution.</p><p>The now 20-year-old victim was upset with the light sentence, and the jury foreman has said members expected Clem to serve time in prison. Clem's attacks on the woman began when she was 13, investigators have said.</p><p>District Attorney Brian Jones also asked a state appeals court to look at the sentence, which he argued was illegally lenient.</p><p>Woodroof agreed to the re-sentencing in the order but didn't set a date.</p><p>The judge did not explain the reason for the original sentence in court documents, and he declined comment on the case through an aide.</p><p>A court-appointed attorney who represents Clem has not returned messages seeking comment, but he has asked for additional funding for an extended court fight.</p>